Experience Nepal

Capture the spirit of Nepal on this 10-day journey, beginning and ending in the country’s vibrant capital. Trek through changing landscapes up to the holy Buddhist site, Namobuddha, visit the beautiful Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery and feel the thrill of rafting down the river Trisuli. This is a journey rich in history, culture, dazzling landscapes and wild adventure.

TRIP CHANGES FOR 2018:
Due to extensive road construction and safety concerns regarding driving conditions, from 1st January 2018 we will unfortunately no longer be able to visit Nuwakot and will instead stay in Pataleban. See itinerary for more details.

Why you'll love this trip

This trip has plenty of variety to enable you to experience all aspects of the country:, from religious sights, hiking to stunning viewpoints, exploring ancient trading towns and white water rafting.

The wonderful, warm, welcoming people of Nepal are one of the reasons travellers tend to return to this fascinating country again and again.

Witness the resilience of Nepal following the devastating earthquake of 2015 and see how the country is rebuilding itself on walking tours of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

Stay in lesser known places such as Namobuddha and Balthali and discover these hidden gems far removed from the bustle of the capital.

Is this trip right for you?

There are some long travel days on roads that seem to be permanently under construction. What looks like a short distance on a map can take an unexplainably long time to complete. Plenty of patience (and maybe some good podcasts at the ready) will go a long way toward your enjoyment of the journey.

This trip does not go to high altitude, so if you were hesitant to explore Nepal because for this reason you should have little trouble acclimatising on this tour.

As there as an included rafting activity, please speak to your leader in advance if you are not a confident swimmer. There is also the option to sit out this activity and instead spend time at the campsite.

While at the Trisuli river we have an included night of camping. This is at a permanent campsite where tents, mats and sleeping bags provided and toilet facilities are basic.

Outside of the main towns Nepal can be a quiet place, with few "tourist" attractions and options for organised activities. There is plenty of time for your own exploration or relaxation. Don't expect each day to be action packed, but be ready to seek out your own, more simple cultural experiences.

As we stay in some locations where there are few options for eating out, some meals may be set menus rather than being able to choose from a variety of options.

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Itinerary

Namaste! Welcome to Nepal. Welcome to a city too laid-back to bother being best; it’s just Kathmandu, a spicy masala of its mixed reputations. If you arrive early, why not try one of our Urban Adventure day tours to get a feel for this fantastic city and its surrounds. Meet your leader and group tonight at 6pm for a Welcome Meeting, followed by an optional group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Kathmandu - Rickshaw Night Explorer Urban Adventure - USD68

Kathmandu - In Focus: Cook in Kathmandu Urban Adventure - USD93

Kathmandu - Kathmandu by Bike Urban Adventure - USD100

Kathmandu - Kathmandu Living Urban Adventure - USD66

Meals Included

This morning, we take a walking heritage tour of Kathmandu’s old bazaars, Hanuman Dhoka and Durbar Square. The labyrinth of backstreets and alleys leading from one bazaar ("chowk") to another are a true highlight of the city's character. Our time in Kathmandu also includes a visit to one of the holiest temples for Hindus all around the world- Pashupatinath. Your leader will then take you through the cycle of birth and death and the story behind the Sadhus (Hindu holy men), who renounce their hedonistic social life to devote their life to Shiva (Hindu God of Destruction) to whom the temple is dedicated. Nearby is the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. Follow the pilgrims circumambulating the stupa spinning the prayer wheels. Offer your prayers to Lord Buddha lighting a traditional butter lamp at the main entry way to the stupa. There may the option for lunch at a roof-top restaurant with an enticing view over the Stupa. Free time this afternoon and evening after our sightseeing is finished.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Kathmandu - Bodhnath Stupa

Kathmandu - Pashupatinath Temple

Kathmandu - Durbar Square

Optional Activities

Kathmandu - Everest Scenic Flight - USD200

Meals Included

Today we make our way further afield from the chaotic and modern self of Kathmandu to the medieval town of Bhaktapur (approx 13km/30min). Bhaktapur preserves the old-world charm of the Kathmandu Valley. Timeless craftsmanship is evident in its temples and squares and its people are still fiercely devoted to the ways of life and faith passed on from their ancestors. We take an afternoon walking tour of the town, including the temples of Taumadhi Tole and Durbar Square. The rest of our time here you will be free to explore on your own.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Bhaktapur - Guided walk

Meals Included

We make our way on to the fringes of the Kathmandu Valley, stopping at the ancient town of Panauti before reaching Khopasi (total drive approx 20 km/45 min). There's the option to hike (approx 1 hour) or continue on by 4WD (approx 20 min) to the hill-top village of Balthali through thick forests. Our destination is our accommodation for tonight, the hidden retreat of Balthali Village Resort with its commanding views of verdant villages and farms and the mighty Himalayas rising on the horizon.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Panauti - Guided walk

Balthali - Hiking

Meals Included

Pack a day pack for our hike today. Our main luggage will be driven to meet us at our next destination - Namobuddha. Those who do not wish to walk can opt to travel with our bags. The walk will take approx 3-5 hours depending on fitness and track conditions. We start with a descent from the resort before making our way off road. Cut through the vast terraced fields before another sharp descent. Following the trail bridge, we meet a steep, uphill winding track through open pastures and eventually meet the dirt track coming from Panauti. Continuing on, pass a few villages, enter dense forest briefly and then be wowed by the revered Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namobuddha. We visit the stupa and impressive Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Namobuddha - Hiking

Namobuddha - Thrangu Tashi Yangtze Monastery

Meals Included

After breakfast today, we head out of the Kathmandu Valley towards Pataleban (approx 2-3 hours) in the Chisapani region, a place hidden from the mainstream tourist routes and famous for one of Nepal's few wineries. Stop along the way at in Dhulikhel to explore the bazaar, temples and see the valley from a great viewpoint and then head to to the tallest Shiva statue in the country in Sanga. Settle into our resort accommodation for the next 2 nights with views out on the vineyards, gardens, and distant mountain ranges.

Accommodation

Resort (1 night)

Included Activities

Dhulikel - Guided walk

Meals Included

After breakfast in the resort grounds head out on a half day hike with a local guide to Indradaha (also known as Daha Chowk). The moderately easy hike takes around 2 hours and passes through lush green forest, home to birds as well as spotted deer and monkeys. There's a good chance of spectacular views of Langtang, Ganesh, and Manaslu. Return to the resort for lunch and then the rest of the day is free.

Accommodation

Resort (1 night)

Meals Included

Leave Pataleban behind today and follow the Kathmandu road to the Trisuli River (approx 50km/90 min). This is the launching place for our rafting experience and where we will meet our crew and have our safety training. Those not wishing to raft can continue on to our campsite by vehicle and meet the group on the completion of their trip. The Trisuli River is an ideal introduction for first time rafters, with reasonably calm waters and only minor rapids. Safety boats will lead the way and we also have crew in kayaks shadowing the main rafts. Before each rapid, the rafting guides pull ashore to inspect ahead and only then they decide whether to continue through or follow the safety boat on a smoother route. In total, groups usually are on the river for around 4 hours with a stop for lunch, but this will depend on water conditions.

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)

Included Activities

Trisuli River - Rafting

Meals Included

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Information

You WILL get wet, so any important belongings should be left with your main luggage or concealed in dry bags. Life jackets, helmets and all safety equipment provides. Spray jackets and personal dry bags are supplied. Should there have been heavy rain the proceeding days, the rafting activity may need to be cancelled for safety reasons and we will include an alternative activity instead.

Wake up early for tea and coffee, maybe take as stroll along the river and get ready for another fantastic day. After breakfast we prepare for the river again for another few hours of rafting (optional), then lunch at our finishing point at Kuringhat where our driver (and our dry clothes!) also await. Pack up and pile in our vehicles to drive back to Kathmandu (approx 100 km/3 - 4 hours) where we arrive late afternoon. Join your group and leader for an optional final night dinner to celebrate your trip.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available to purchase and is valid for all nights on trip.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Jennifer Sachs

This trip is great to get to know Nepal a little bit, it basically stays in Kathmandu Valley but that means that the travel times are fortunately pretty short. You get to see amazing scenerys, small hikes anyone can do and some great Nepali towns.

Review submitted 03 May 2018

Experience Nepal trip reviews

Our Experience Nepal trips score an average of 4.8 out of 5
based on 86 reviews in the last year.